Once tested positive, hogs are culled and immediately buried in assigned dumping areas. (File Photo)
While Naga City in Camarines Sur has been declared under the state of calamity due to African Swine Fever (ASF), the entire Bicol region is on high alert for any movement of live pigs and pork products.
The Sangguniang Panglungsod in Naga City has disclosed that being under the state of calamity means a two-week closure of its slaughterhouse and the depopulation of hogs after blood samples show they were infected.
Affected areas are Zone 5 in Barangay Pacol and Zone 7 in Barangay Cararayan.
The provinces of Albay and Sorsogon have also banned the entry of live hogs and pork products from the neighboring provinces of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, including those from Mindanao, due to the threat.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also bared that the virus has infected hogs in Bombon wherein at least 85 pigs were tested positive and were depopulated.
As of February 29, some 1,516 pigs had been depopulated in areas infected with ASF in the entire region.
Miguel Villafuerte, Camarines Sur Governor has directed the city and municipal mayors to implement preventive measures in piggeries, through the banning of swill feeding, cooperation in quarantine efforts, and following zoning plans for the prevention and control of the said virus.
Meanwhile in Legazpi City, the Task Force African swine fever (TFASF) nabbed 400 pieces of undocumented “siomai” or pork dumplings originating from ASF-hit Bulacan.
The processed meat products were found in a closed van in a Polangui town checkpoint in Albay. (Jojo Mangahis)